Program Manager I – Agriculture and Livelihoods

Position description

You will manage programming in the Country Program (CP) and specifically lead the effective and efficient implementation of the Smallholder Market Support (SAMS) and Asset Creation and Livelihood (ACL) programming funded through World Food Program (WFP) in Akobo East County. Your work will be geared towards advancing CRS work in serving the poor and vulnerable. You will serve as a Team Leader for SAMS, ACL and cash assistance programming and lead staff across multiple locations and oversee direct implementation of activities in remote and insecure field locations. Your management skills and knowledge will ensure that CRS delivers high-quality programming and continuously works towards improving the impact of its WFP funded programming. You will ensure CRS’ SAMS and ACL programming complements and integrates with all other CRS and partner programming in the target areas. You will be based in Akobo East County.

Roles and Key Responsibilities

• Manage and implement all activities throughout relevant project cycles – project design, start-up, implementation, and close-out – to ensure efficient and effective implementation in line with CRS program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and good practices. Ensure program plans reflect operational constraints including insecurity and seasonal access. Ensure the project team uses the appropriate systems and tools;
• In coordination with the Program Manager II- Food and Cash Assistance, ensure effective planning, coordination and integration of efforts and reporting with other CRS programs to optimize the use of shared program teams, assets and facilities and strengthen the collective impact of CRS interventions;
• Effectively manage talent and supervise. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching, strategically tailor individual development plans, contribute to the recruitment process of project staff, and complete performance management for direct reports;
• Champion learning with project staff and partner teams. Analyze and evaluate project performance data following MEAL policy. Proactively identify issues and concerns and use participatory processes to overcome implementation obstacles;
• Act as a key resource person in project design and proposal development in respective programming areas, gap-filling and taking on growth responsibilities, as needed;
• Coordinate the identification of staff capacity and technical assistance needs and required interventions to support quality project implementation;
• Help identify, assess, and strengthen partnerships relevant to food and cash assistance programming, applying appropriate applications of partnership concepts, tools, and approaches;
• In coordination with the Program Manager II- Food and Cash Assistance and Head of Programming, act as the point person for communication with WFP, ensuring timely response to information requests, program plans and reporting;
• Coordinate and monitor financial and material resources relevant to project needs. Through planning and oversight ensure efficient use of project resources. Ensure all required program and operations documents are submitted in a timely and complete manner. Closely monitor advances, transfers to field locations, waybills, distribution reports and invoicing for optimal support and tonnage cost coverage;
• In cooperation with the Program Manager II- Food and Cash Assistance and Senior Operations Manager, ensure that you and your team understand and adheres to CRS’ staff safety and security policies and plans. Inform leadership of any emerging security risks and support response to any critical incidents;
• Ensure that safeguarding, protection, and gender equity are consistently and intentionally streamlined into all program activities, including staff recruitment and training to ensure robust systems of prevention and response.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills with ability to make sound judgment;
• Strong relationship management skills and the ability to work effectively with culturally diverse groups;
• Experience and skills in implementing matrix management for programs and operations field teams;
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with ability to write reports;
• Proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented;
• Demonstrated capacity to live and work in remote and insecure field locations with very basic amenities, few or no other international staff and limited or no internet and adhere to a strict curfew and movement restrictions;
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information management systems;
• Experience engaging with partner organizations;
• Experience contributing to the development of technical proposals.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in international development, Agriculture, Food Security, or in the field of Project Management preferred;
• 3-5 years project management experience in food and cash assistance programming is highly desirable;
• Experience with WFP LESS and reporting systems is highly desirable;
• Experience with resilience and Market related intervention;
• Experience contributing to the development of technical proposals;
• MEAL skills and experience preferred;
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information management systems;
• Required Languages – English.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in international development, Agriculture, Food Security, or in the field of Project Management required;
• A minimum of 2-3 years of relevant field-based experience in coordinating or managing moderately complex projects is required, preferably with an international NGO;
• Additional experience may substitute for some education.

Application instructions

Please be sure to indicate you saw this position on geopolist.com